This is my 2nd year of subscribing to IceNetwork. The first season seemed fine...we got to see the skaters and events covered like we had never seen before. ALL of the skaters in all groups. We were happy with that. This year, same coverage of the participants, but now we have to wait a week or more for Grand Prix events. Plus, no commentary? It adds so much to the event. Skate America had commentary, but we've been disappointed that there's been no commentary (so far) in events outside of the USA. I'm guessing the answer is "money", but I can find nowhere on the IceNetwork website any information or announcement on the lack of commentary (maybe I just haven't found it?). It's pretty close to a deal breaker for me. IceNetwork should be up-front about delayed video postings and the lack of commentary when selling $40 season subscriptions.

I am grateful for the lack of commentary. What I want to see: skating, not commentators' faces. What I want to hear: the skater's music, not commentary. Sometimes I find the NBC commentary so irritating I would just turn it off and wait for the commentary-free videos to turn up on ice network, even a week later. But to each his or her own.

I agree. I miss the commentary! I like the updates on the skaters' progress. Also, if you were someone who enjoyed figure skating, but weren't an expert...you would have no idea whats going on! The commentators break down the program for the masses. Icenetwork please get it together and bring back the commentary!

I don't consider myself an expert compared to many who post on this site.  Not by any means!  However, I agree that commentary can be disrupting and irritating.  Sometimes it adds, however a little goes a long way.

 

I agree with the person who suggests that some of the explanation can be introduced while waiting for scores, and commentating can also fit into warm-ups and ice-making.  It might be nice to insert some comments about skaters' competitions to-date in warm-ups, as well as some explanations regarding scoring, etc.

 

Finally, I quite like the fact that IN is not for everybody --not for the masses.  I do understand sponsorships as well as income from advertising helping to promote skating and skaters.  I also understand, however, that this type of income, as well as "dumbing down" a sport for the masses, can dilute the sport itself.  I like the fact that figure skating is no longer in the news and making gossip rags, and current skaters aren't necessarily pandering to the masses.  Yes, unfortunately the talent pool has shrunk, but I can't see that we had that many talented --and more talented-- skaters in the late 1980's and 1990's than we do today.  I believe that we, as fans and/or ex-skaters, need a bit more faith that things are the way they are supposed to be; and if a kid has talent and chutzpah to make it in skating, s/he/they will.

I like having commentators.  They add interest to the skating, especially when I am unfamiliar with a skater.  Ice network
 hasn't had any commentator that I felt was so annoying that I would rather have none.  I enjoy them and miss them when there are none.
I realize that others feel differently, but I want Ice Network to be aware that some of us appreciate their efforts in having commentary.